Felicia strengthens to a hurricane

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTRE

************************** FELICIA RAPIDLY STRENGTHENS TO A HURRICANE.

AT 2 PM PDT THE CENTER OF HURRICANE FELICIA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 12.4 NORTH, LONGITUDE 126.6 WEST OR ABOUT 1315 MILES (2115 KM) WEST-SOUTHWEST OF THE SOUTHERN TIP OF BAJA CALIFORNIA.

FELICIA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 14 MPH (22 KM/HR).

THIS GENERAL MOTION WITH A TURN TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

SATELLITE IMAGES INDICATE THAT THE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 80 MPH (130 KM/HR) WITH HIGHER GUSTS.

ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE AND FELICIA COULD BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES (35 KM) FROM THE CENTER, AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 85 MILES (140 KM).

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 985 MB (29.09 INCHES).

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